Policy

American Farmland Trust and Farm to Institution New York State (FINYS) work to advance policies that help bring more New York grown food into schools and other institutions.

Background

In 2018, the “No Student Goes Hungry” policy initiative was created to incentivize NY schools to procure at least 30% of their school food lunch budgets from NY growers, farmers, and producers. The schools that reach 30% local procurement receive a reimbursement of 25 cents per school lunch meal, quadruple the previously received 6 cent reimbursement. FINYS leads the New York Grown Food for New York Kids coalition to continue to advance policy pathways for increased local procurement in NY State for the health and viability of our students and agricultural economy.

New York Grown Food for New York Kids

Coordinated by American Farmland Trust, New York Grown Food for New York Kids is a coalition of nearly 70 organizations and stakeholders who support increasing access to fresh, healthy, local food for students in K-12 schools. Farm to School is a win-win, improving the health of our children and supporting New York farmers!

American Farmland Trust's “Growing Resilience” report revealed that in spite of the challenges posed by the pandemic, schools have remained committed to farm to school, and with continued state support, by 2025 these programs can help schools spend $250 million on food from New York farms, generating $360 million in economic activity statewide. These programs will also increase access to healthy, farm-fresh food for 900,000 kids across the state by 2025. At a time when many children face food insecurity and schools have become a primary source of free meals for many hungry New York families, helping schools to purchase and serve more fresh local food to kids is an important way to keep them healthy.